Temporary market planned if old market demolished

A new temporary market could be built if plans to demolish a historic indoor market in Birmingham are approved, according to a new report.

A planning application was submitted last year to redevelop the Bull Ring Indoor Market on Edgbaston Street.

The plans included demolishing the current site and building 745 apartments or up to 1,544 student bedrooms in its place.

A council report said the temporary market would be operational by the end of 2026 - with long terms plans for a new market building in the works.

Traders were left anxious for their futures after they were told in September that the site could be redeveloped.

Shoppers also reacted with sadness towards the idea of the market space being demolished after being part of the city's fabric for so many years.

The report, published this week, said it was "critical" to understand the council's wider plans for markets in the city centre.

It said that plans had been proposed over the "short to medium term", which included the construction of a temporary market on the former wholesale market site nearby.

"The intention is for indoor market traders to be decanted to the new facility," it said. "The proposed new temporary market should be fully operational by the end of 2026 at the latest."

When it comes to a longer-term solution, the report said the "once in a generation" Smithfield scheme could play a key role.

The huge project is set to transform the former Birmingham wholesale market site and includes proposals for a new market building.

"It is hoped that traders will move into the new permanent market building, which will be provided on the wider Smithfield site," the report stated.

"It is therefore clear that the proposed development would not have any adverse impact on the provision of market facilities."

It added that the existing market building, constructed in the early 2000's, was "of no particular architectural merit".

"Therefore no design or heritage concerns are raised over its loss," it said.

Hammerson, which owns the site and submitted the planning application, said it wanted to "work with the markets".

The firm said the proposals could enhance the city and provide new homes and landscaping "that meet the aspirations of the city's growth and its public realm".

The council report concluded by saying that the proposed development would see the "delivery of a high quality mixed-use scheme on brownfield land".

The planning application will be considered at a meeting Thursday 16 January, and has been recommended for approval, subject to a legal agreement.

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